We talked earlier in the week about the possibility, though we knew it wouldn't happen, of hot-hitting Leonys Martin moving up from the No. 9 spot in the Texas Rangers' order to replace a scuffling Elvis Andrus as the team's No. 2 hitter.
Martin makes good sense hitting ninth, as a nice bridge from the bottom of the order to the top, and the Cuban rookie has been one of the club's hottest hitters over the past month as well as showing a great ability to steal bases. But it'd be nice to have that production at the top of the order, as well.
Well, Rangers manager Ron Washington pulled the trigger on moving the struggling Andrus down to the No. 8 spot in the order, but his replacement was a questionable one as equally struggling outfielder David Murphy was put in the 2-hole, where he hit some while Ian Kinsler was on the DL and Andrus was hitting leadoff.
Andrus got a hit and a big sacrifice fly to score Engel Beltre in the Rangers' big inning on Thursday night, while Murphy went 0-for-4 in the 2-hole.
Again, Martin isn't a complete mystery in the 9-hole, he fits there well. But with the way the Rangers' lineup is struggling you'd think they might want to try anything they can to spark some offense. Moving Martin to the top third of the order could do that. Moving Murphy there will only perpetuate the problem.
